When we think about the issues that affect our communities most deeply, nothing is more important than education. Providing all students, no matter their zip code or background, with a high-quality education can help expand opportunities for young people to succeed in whatever academic or career path they choose. Well-supported education also has the ability to help transform communities from within, empowering families, schools, businesses and civic organizations to work together in support of a brighter future. Yet we sometimes overlook fundamental ingredients for student success -- the powerful connection between students, teachers and frontline educators, and the nature of the work students do -- that inspire young people to pursue their passions and reach for their dreams.
This is why we are pleased to launch Think It Up, a national education initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), helping build support nationally for students, teachers and schools. Kicking off tonight with a live telecast on all four broadcast networks, Think It Upaims to generate excitement about learning and build support and optimism for the changes led by educators and students taking place in classrooms and communities across the country.
To spark that excitement and support at the national level, we must tell stories from the local level. We must hear from people approaching education in new ways, and we must understand what communities need to build the best learning environments for our students. There are incredible stories of success occurring in classrooms across the country--it's time to shine a light on them.
Part of what makes Think It Up so exciting is its focus on innovative practices driven by teachers, parents, and students themselves. The telecast will showcase real-life, on-the-ground success stories of communities and teachers making a difference, one classroom at a time. How are teachers encouraging students to relate their coursework to things that matter to them outside of school? How are they helping students make the connection between what they are studying -- and skills they are developing in class now -- and being part of a competitive 21st century workforce in the future? What excites and empowers young people in today's classrooms? There are terrific examples we can look to as we work together to celebrate and enhance education across the country.
Of course, we cannot do it alone. Colleagues and companies across the entertainment spectrum have answered our call to raise their voices in support of Think It Up's mission. And with their help, they are letting millions of television viewers know that Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will crowdfund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in public schools across the country for 7th-12th grade students. DonorsChoose.org has already helped millions of teachers unlock opportunities for their students. Through the new platform for student-driven and teacher-supported projects on thinkitup.org, even more students and teachers can request crowdfunding for the resources they need to make these projects come to life. Additionally, Think It Up has brought together a generous group of corporate, foundation and philanthropic supporters to match some of the public's contributions to student projects, doubling the impact, in many cases, and helping get these resources to classrooms faster.
At the end of the day, education is about possibility. When students learn new skills and ask new questions--and when teachers help young people realize their potential--they begin to envision a new future for themselves and their communities. In cities and towns across the country, we can not only lift up academic achievement, but also inspire new hope and vision about what we can accomplish, imagine and create. That's what we hope to showcase and spread, starting on tonight's telecast and continuing for years to come.
Let us begin the new school year by working together to position our students, teachers and schools for success.
For more information, visit thinkitup.org.
Lisa Paulsen is the President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.